Don't miss this all-day festival to celebrate everything about books. Meet national and local authors, buy their books to get them signed, and enjoy free presentations. There's something for every interest and age:

Jacksonville Public Library is partnering with Action News Jax Family Focus and 95.1 WAPE for a special book drive championed by CBS47/FOX30 News Anchor Tenikka Hughes. Tenikka's Books for Kids kicks off on Jax Book Fest Day, March 3.

You can meet Tenikka between 10 a.m. and noon when you drop off new children's books (all ages through teens) at Jax Book Fest on March 3, or drop them off in the collection boxes at any JPL location from March 3 – 17 to help kids who meet their reading goals during Summer Learning build their home libraries. Each book we collect enables us to redirect funds to other areas of Summer Learning to make the program even better and help kids beat the summer slide.

Local leading women share their expertise and knowledge in science and technology. The panel includes: Amy Franqui, Senior Director of Advanced Analytics Florida Blue; Dr. Tracy Packiam Alloway, psychologist and author of The Working Memory Advantage; Cicely Pontifelt, Biological science Technician at the Timucuan Ecological Historic Preserve; and Donna Gentry, Vice President of Projects for Sally Industries Corporation. The panel will be moderated by Emily Floore, Education Director for St. Johns Riverkeeper. Q&A will follow discussion. Read more about Women's History Month programs.

Be amazed by the talented music students from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts under the direction of Vera Watson, chair of the Piano Department at DA. DA’s piano program has been recognized as the best music program in Northeast Florida and was awarded the Jacksonville Symphony Association’s Harmony Grant.Learn more.

Lunch @ The Lounge with Samantha WellsWednesday, March 14, Noon The Lounge at 303 North, Main Library

Classical guitarist Samantha Wells will present a varied program of works by classical composers, including Bach, Paganini and Tárrega, as well as examples of Brazilian music and jazz. She has performed at Rose Hall, Lincoln Center and Mannes School of Music, among other venues, and is a regular at the New York City Classical Guitar Society member events. Bring lunch, bring a friend, and enjoy this free concert.

Jax Makerspace Gallery – Two Cool Exhibits Through April 14

Writing on the Walls: Local Street Artists

Haight Street Rat by the Famous Banksy

Creators, Collaborators, Explorers

Need Space to Create?

The Jax Makerspace is 25,000 square feet of fun and exploration. It's a place where you can sew (we have the machines!), try guitar or ukulele (we give free lessons), craft, brush up on painting techniques, write, explore 3-D computer design and Adobe Photoshop, run robots and more. Bring your own equipment or instruments to create or reserve ours. See scheduled March events.

The Jacksonville Public Library mobile app delivers all the content you love,all in one place! Now you can do more from your smartphone:

• Browse all e-content right in the catalog.

• View your digital loans and holds in your account.

• Find your nearest library, and scan your library card from the app at checkout.Find out how to get the new app, and watch a video to see the new features.

Free Tax Prep Assistance

Have Your Personal Taxes Prepared Free!

Through April 14, Multiple Library Locations

There's still time to get help with your taxes. Get all your documents together and plan a trip to a participating library to get help with your tax preparation. The library is proud to partner with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Tax-Aide during tax season to provide this free service. IRS-certified volunteers provide free tax counseling and preparations to millions of low and middle income taxpayers each year. Find out more details and a location near you.

Small Business Workshops

Small Business Advice: The Business PlanWhat Is It, Why Do I Need One?

Wednesday, March 21, 6 p.m., Mandarin Branch Library

The business plan is your road map to success. In this workshop you'll learn the reasons for developing a plan, what should be in a plan, and how to assemble the information you need using a free SCORE template. Find out more about this and other SCORE Small Business Workshops.

Interested in world affairs? These programs are for you. The March 8 program will be facilitated by Joshua Gellers, Ph.D., assistant professor in Political Science and Public Administration at UNF. The March 22 program will be facilitated by Yildirim "Alex" Sivar, who once served as senior advisor to the Minister of Culture of Turkey. The Great Decisions 2018 Briefing Book, a companion book to the series, is available for purchase online from the Foreign Policy Association, but is not necessary for participation in the program.